Exploring the function and effectiveness of knowledge brokers as facilitators of knowledge translation in health-related settings: a systematic review and thematic analysis

Catherine C Bornbaum, Kathy Kornas, Leslea Peirson, Laura C Rosella, Catherine C Bornbaum, Kathy Kornas, Leslea Peirson, Laura C Rosella

Abstract

Background: Knowledge brokers (KBs) work collaboratively with key stakeholders to facilitate the transfer and exchange of information in a given context. Currently, there is a perceived lack of evidence about the effectiveness of knowledge brokering and the factors that influence its success as a knowledge translation (KT) mechanism. Thus, the goal of this review was to systematically gather evidence regarding the nature of knowledge brokering in health-related settings and determine if KBs effectively contributed to KT in these settings.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using a search strategy designed by a health research librarian. Eight electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, SocINDEX, and Health Business Elite) and relevant grey literature sources were searched using English language restrictions. Two reviewers independently screened the abstracts, reviewed full-text articles, extracted data, and performed quality assessments. Analysis included a confirmatory thematic approach. To be included, studies must have occurred in a health-related setting, reported on an actual application of knowledge brokering, and be available in English.

Results: In total, 7935 records were located. Following removal of duplicates, 6936 abstracts were screened and 240 full-text articles were reviewed. Ultimately, 29 articles, representing 22 unique studies, were included in the thematic analysis. Qualitative (n = 18), quantitative (n = 1), and mixed methods (n = 6) designs were represented in addition to grey literature sources (n = 4). Findings indicated that KBs performed a diverse range of tasks across multiple health-related settings; results supported the KB role as a 'knowledge manager', 'linkage agent', and 'capacity builder'. Our systematic review explored outcome data from a subset of studies (n = 8) for evidence of changes in knowledge, skills, and policies or practices related to knowledge brokering. Two studies met standards for acceptable methodological rigour; thus, findings were inconclusive regarding KB effectiveness.

Conclusions: As knowledge managers, linkage agents, and capacity builders, KBs performed many and varied tasks to transfer and exchange information across health-related stakeholders, settings, and sectors. How effectively they fulfilled their role in facilitating KT processes is unclear; further rigourous research is required to answer this question and discern the potential impact of KBs on education, practice, and policy.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of process to identify eligible studies. Note: records identified through ‘other sources’ include grey literature, hand searching of relevant journals, and reference lists of manuscripts included in this review

References

    1. Straus SE, Tetroe J, Graham I. Defining knowledge translation. CMAJ. 2009;181(3–4):165–8. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.081229.
    1. Jernberg T, Johanson P, Held C, Svennblad B, Lindback J, Wallentin L. Association between adoption of evidence-based treatment and survival for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. JAMA. 2011;305(16):1677–84. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.522.
    1. Davis D, Evans M, Jadad A, Perrier L, Rath D, Ryan D, et al. The case for knowledge translation: shortening the journey from evidence to effect. BMJ. 2003;327(7405):33–5. doi: 10.1136/bmj.327.7405.33.
    1. Madon T, Hofman K, Kupfer L, Glass R. Public health: implementation science. Science. 2007;318:1728–9. doi: 10.1126/science.1150009.
    1. Chalmers I. If evidence-informed policy works in practice, does it matter if it doesn’t work in theory? Evid Policy. 2005;1(2):227–42. doi: 10.1332/1744264053730806.
    1. Graham I, Logan J, Harrison M, Straus SE, Tetroe J, Caswell W, et al. Lost in knowledge translation: time for a map? J Contin Educ Health Prof. 2006;26:13–24. doi: 10.1002/chp.47.
    1. Dobbins M, DeCorby K, Twiddy T. A knowledge transfer strategy for public health decision makers. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2004;1(2):120–8. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-6787.2004.t01-1-04009.x.
    1. Ward V, House A. Hamer S. Knowledge brokering: the missing link in the evidence to action chain? Evid Policy. 2009;5(3):267–79. doi: 10.1332/174426409X463811.
    1. Oldham G, McLean R. Approaches to knowledge-brokering. International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the North–south Institute (NSI) May 1997: International Institute for Sustainable Development; 1997.
    1. Dobbins M, DeCorby K, Robeson P, Ciliska D, Thomas H, Hanna S, et al., editors. The power of tailored messaging: preliminary results from Canada’s first trial on knowledge brokering. Ottawa: Canadian Cochrane Colloquium; 2007.
    1. Morley M. Knowledge for regional NRM: connecting researchers & practitioners. Canberra: Land and Water Australia; 2006.
    1. Fisher C. Knowledge brokering and intermediary concepts: analysis of an e-discussion on the Knowledge Brokers’ Forum. UK: Brighton; 2011.
    1. Canadian Health Services Research Foundation. The theory and practice of knowledge brokering in Canada’s health system. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Health Services Research Foundation; 2003
    1. Harris M LE. Knowledge brokering in the Canadian mental mealth and dementia health care system: Canadian knowledge brokering core competency framework (version 2). 2010. . Accessed 16 Nov 2015.
    1. Conklin J, Lusk E, Harris M, Stolee P. Knowledge brokers in a knowledge network: the case of Seniors Health Research Transfer Network knowledge brokers. Implement Sci. 2013;8:7. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-8-7.
    1. Lomas J. The in-between world of knowledge brokering. BMJ. 2007;334(7585):129–32. doi: 10.1136/.
    1. van Kammen J, de Savigny D, Sewankambo N. Using knowledge brokering to promote evidence-based policy-making: the need for support structures. Bull World Health Organ. 2006;84(8):608–12. doi: 10.2471/BLT.05.028308.
    1. Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Guide to knowledge translation planning at CIHR: integrated and end-of-grant approaches. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Institutes of Health Research; 2012
    1. Guest G, MacQueen K, Namey E. Applied thematic analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.; 2012.
    1. Bartolucci AA, Hillegass WB. Overview, strengths, and limitations of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. 2010:17–33. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-05025-1_2
    1. Dobbins M, Robeson P, Ciliska D, Hanna S, Cameron R, O’Mara L, et al. A description of a knowledge broker role implemented as part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating three knowledge translation strategies. Implement Sci. 2009;4:23. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-4-23.
    1. Barbour RS. Mixing qualitative methods: quality assurance or qualitative quagmire? Qual Health Res. 1998;8(3):352–61. doi: 10.1177/104973239800800306.
    1. Kujbida G, Stratton J. Effective knowledge translation tactics for increasing the use of health status and surveillance data. Mississauga, ON: Region of Peel; 2014
    1. Rosella L, Bowman C, Pach B, Morgan S, Fitzpatrick T, Goel V. The development and validation of a meta-tool for quality appraisal of public health evidence: Meta Quality Appraisal Tool (MetaQAT). Public Health. 2015; In press.
    1. Voss PH, Rehfuess EA. Quality appraisal in systematic reviews of public health interventions: an empirical study on the impact of choice of tool on meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2013;67(1):98–104. doi: 10.1136/jech-2011-200940.
    1. QSR International Pty Ltd. NVivo qualitative data analysis software: version 9. 2010.
    1. Crabtree B, Miller W. Doing qualitative research 2nd edition ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.; 1999.
    1. Healy J, Maxwell J, Hong P, Lin V. Responding to requests for information on health systems from policy makers in Asian countries. Geneva: Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research; 2007.
    1. Urquhart R, Porter GA, Grunfeld E. Reflections on knowledge brokering within a multidisciplinary research team. J Contin Educ Health Prof. 2011;31(4):283–90. doi: 10.1002/chp.20128.
    1. Richards T. Europe’s knowledge broker. BMJ. 2009;339:b3871. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b3871.
    1. Jansson SM, Benoit C, Casey L, Phillips R, Burns D. In for the long haul: knowledge translation between academic and nonprofit organizations. Qual Health Res. 2010;20(1):131–43. doi: 10.1177/1049732309349808.
    1. Waqa G, Mavoa H, Snowdon W, Moodie M, Nadakuitavuki R, Mc Cabe M, et al. Participants’ perceptions of a knowledge-brokering strategy to facilitate evidence-informed policy-making in Fiji. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:725. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-725.
    1. Waqa G, Mavoa H, Snowdon W, Moodie M, Schultz J, McCabe M, et al. Knowledge brokering between researchers and policymakers in Fiji to develop policies to reduce obesity: a process evaluation. Implement Sci. 2013;8:74. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-8-74.
    1. Frank J, Frost H, Geddes R, Haw S, Jackson C, Jepson R, et al. Experiences of knowledge brokering for evidence-informed public health, policy, and practice: 3 years of the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy. Lancet. 2012;380:S39. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60395-5.
    1. Donnelly C, Letts L, Klinger D, Shulha L. Supporting knowledge translation through evaluation: evaluator as knowledge broker. Can J Program Eval. 2014;29(1). doi:10.3138/cjpe.29.1.36.
    1. Campbell D, Donald B, Moore G, Frew D. Evidence check: knowledge brokering to commission research reviews for policy. Evid Policy. 2011;7(1):97–107. doi: 10.1332/174426411X553034.
    1. Stevens M, Liabo K, Frost S, Roberts H. Using research in practice: a research information service for social care practitioners. Child Fam Soc Work. 2005;10:67–75. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2206.2005.00346.x.
    1. Robeson P, Dobbins M, DeCorby K. Life as a knowledge broker in public health. J Can Health Libr Assoc. 2008;29:79–82. doi: 10.5596/c08-025.
    1. Rivard LM, Russell DJ, Roxborough L, Ketelaar M, Bartlett DJ, Rosenbaum P. Promoting the use of measurement tools in practice: a mixed-methods study of the activities and experiences of physical therapist knowledge brokers. Phys Ther. 2010;90(11):1580–90. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20090408.
    1. Kimble C, Grenier C, Goglio-Primard K. Innovation and knowledge sharing across professional boundaries: political interplay between boundary objects and brokers. Int J Inf Manage. 2010;30(5):437–44. doi: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2010.02.002.
    1. Hoens AM, Reid WD, Camp PG. Knowledge brokering: an innovative model for supporting evidence- informed practice in respiratory care. Can Respir J. 2013;20(4):271–4.
    1. Lyons R, Warner G, Langille L, Phillips S. Piloting knowledge brokers to promote integrated stroke care in Atlantic Canada. Can Inst Health Res. 2006. . Accessed 23 Nov 2015.
    1. Ward V, Smith S, House A. Hamer S. Exploring knowledge exchange: a useful framework for practice and policy. Soc Sci Med. 2012;74(3):297–304. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.09.021.
    1. Cameron D, Russell DJ, Rivard L, Darrah J, Palisano R. Knowledge brokering in children’s rehabilitation organizations: perspectives from administrators. J Contin Educ Health Prof. 2011;31(1):28–33. doi: 10.1002/chp.20098.
    1. Gerrish K, McDonnell A, Nolan M, Guillaume L, Kirshbaum M, Tod A. The role of advanced practice nurses in knowledge brokering as a means of promoting evidence-based practice among clinical nurses. J Adv Nurs. 2011;67(9):2004–14. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05642.x.
    1. Dobbins M, Hanna SE, Ciliska D, Manske S, Cameron R, Mercer SL, et al. A randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of knowledge translation and exchange strategies. Implement Sci. 2009;4:61. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-4-61.
    1. Chew S, Armstrong N, Martin G. Institutionalising knowledge brokering as a sustainable knowledge translation solution in healthcare: how can it work in practice? Evid Policy. 2013;9(3):335–51. doi: 10.1332/174426413X662734.
    1. Yost J, Dobbins M, Traynor R, DeCorby K, Workentine S, Greco L. Tools to support evidence-informed public health decision making. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:728. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-728.
    1. Traynor R, DeCorby K, Dobbins M. Knowledge brokering in public health: a tale of two studies. Public Health. 2014;128(6):533–44. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2014.01.015.
    1. Waring J, Currie G, Crompton A, Bishop S. An exploratory study of knowledge brokering in hospital settings: facilitating knowledge sharing and learning for patient safety? Soc Sci Med. 2013;98:79–86. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.08.037.
    1. van Kammen J, Jansen CW, Bonsel GJ, Kremer JA, Evers JL, Wladimiroff JW. Technology assessment and knowledge brokering: the case of assisted reproduction in The Netherlands. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2006;22(3):302–6.
    1. Russell DJ, Rivard LM, Walter SD, Rosenbaum PL, Roxborough L, Cameron D, et al. Using knowledge brokers to facilitate the uptake of pediatric measurement tools into clinical practice: a before-after intervention study. Implement Sci. 2010;5:92. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-5-92.
    1. Thompson GN, Estabrooks CA, Degner LF. Clarifying the concepts in knowledge transfer: a literature review. J Adv Nurs. 2006;53(6):691–701. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03775.x.
    1. Elliott H, Popay J. How are policy makers using evidence? Models of research utilisation and local NHS policy making. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2000;54(6):461–8. doi: 10.1136/jech.54.6.461.

Source: PubMed

Sponsors en medewerkers

Medische omstandigheden

Geneesmiddelinterventies

3
Abonneren